NORWICH – The United Methodist Church, along with State Senator James L. Seward, are encouraging local citizens to support relief efforts for the people of Haiti. For years, Haiti has been devastated by hurricanes, flooding, political violence and major earthquakes. The massive earthquake on Jan. 12 has caused incalculable loss of human life and destruction to the homes and livelihoods of millions of people.

The United Methodist Church, as a worldwide body, has global connections which allow the church’s relief efforts to be on the ground in places where need is great almost immediately, said Pastor Jeff Hale.

“Because the administrative costs of the United Methodist Committee on Relief and the Advance, operating under the General Board of Global Mission, are funded by the generosity of local United Methodist churches, 100 percent of donations given go directly to the designated relief effort,” said Hale.

The Broad Street Methodist Church is currently accepting monetary donations for the impoverished people of Haiti. Interested parties should make checks payable to the Broad Street UMC, with “Haiti” written in the memo line, and can be dropped off at the church office or mailed to 74 North Broad St. Those interested may also make a donation through the Wyoming Conference Haiti Partnership, checks payable to the Wyoming Annual Conference, writing Haiti Partnership in the memo line, and mailed to the Wyoming Conference Center, PO Box 58, Endicott, NY, 13761. Donations may also be sent through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) at gbgm-umc.org.

Hale stated that personal hygiene kits are a tremendous help to those suffering in Haiti, supplying them with items that most people take for granted.

“The recent earthquake has created an urgent need for these kits,” said Hale. “Kits should include a hand towel (15 inches by 25 inches or up to 17 inches by 27 inches), wash cloth, wide-toothed comb, fingernail clipper, bar of soap, tube of toothpaste, toothbrush and 6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages.”

All items included in kits must be new items, and should not include any personal notes, money, or additional materials, especially political, religious or patriotic. The United Methodist Church asked that all items be placed in a one gallon plastic bag.